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Notice, 11 May 1842

Source Note

JS,
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
, and
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
, Notice,
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, 11 May 1842; handwriting of
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
; signatures of JS,
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
,
John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

View Full Bio
,
William Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

View Full Bio
, and
George A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

View Full Bio
in handwriting of
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
; signatures of
Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
,
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
,
Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
,
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

View Full Bio
,
Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
,
John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

View Full Bio
, and
Wilford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

View Full Bio
; notation in handwriting of
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
, with signatures of
Newel K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
,
Vinson Knight

14 Mar. 1804–31 July 1842. Farmer, druggist, school warden. Born at Norwich, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Rudolphus Knight and Rispah (Rizpah) Lee. Married Martha McBride, July 1826. Moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Owned farm...

View Full Bio
, and
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

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; one page; JS Collection, CHL. Includes dockets.
Single leaf measuring 9½ × 7½ inches (24 × 19 cm), ruled with twenty-eight blue lines (now faded). The top and right edges have the square cut of manufactured paper. The left edge is uneven, suggesting it was cut by hand. The bottom edge has been torn unevenly. The title, main body, dateline, and JS’s signature were inscribed in a different ink than the rest of the document. The leaf was folded in half and then in thirds; the top quarter was then folded down. Significant wear has occurred on the bottom of the verso. There is also some separation along fold lines.
The document was apparently retained either by JS, his office staff, or perhaps the staff of the Times and Seasons, where the notice was later published.
Leo Hawkins

19 July 1834–28 May 1859. Clerk, reporter. Born in London. Son of Samuel Harris Hawkins and Charlotte Savage. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by John Banks, 23 Oct. 1848. Immigrated to U.S. with his family; arrived in New Orleans...

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, who served as a clerk in the Church Historian’s Office from 1853 to 1859,
1

“Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

docketed the document, as did Andrew Jenson, who began working in the Church Historian’s Office in 1882 and served as assistant church historian from 1897 to 1941.
2

Jenson, Autobiography, 131, 133, 135, 141, 192, 389; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 44–52.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

By 1973 the document had been included in the JS Collection at the Church Historical Department (now CHL).
3

See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.


The document’s early dockets and inclusion in the JS Collection by 1973 indicate continuous institutional custody.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    “Obituary of Leo Hawkins,” Millennial Star, 30 July 1859, 21:496–497.

    Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. Manchester, England, 1840–1842; Liverpool, 1842–1932; London, 1932–1970.

  2. [2]

    Jenson, Autobiography, 131, 133, 135, 141, 192, 389; Jenson, Journal, 9 Feb. 1891 and 19 Oct. 1897; Bitton and Arrington, Mormons and Their Historians, 44–52.

    Jenson, Andrew. Autobiography of Andrew Jenson: Assistant Historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1938.

    Jenson, Andrew. Journals, 1864–1941. Andrew Jenson, Autobiography and Journals, 1864–1941. CHL.

    Bitton, David, and Leonard J. Arrington. Mormons and Their Historians. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1988.

  3. [3]

    See the full bibliographic entry for JS Collection, 1827–1844, in the CHL catalog.

Historical Introduction

In May 1842,
Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
prepared a notice from the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
withdrawing
church

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
fellowship from
John C. Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
. The notice was later signed by members of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
and the
bishops

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Illinois. Since Bennett’s arrival in Nauvoo and subsequent
baptism

An ordinance in which an individual is immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Book of Mormon explained that those with necessary authority were to baptize individuals who had repented of their sins. Baptized individuals also received the gift of...

View Glossary
into the church in September 1840, he had been a prominent church and civic leader.
1

See Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Minutes, 3 Feb. 1841; Minutes, 4 Feb. 1841; and Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.


However, shortly after Bennett’s conversion, JS received information that Bennett, who had portrayed himself to Nauvoo church members as unmarried, “had a wife, and two or three children” in
McConnelsville

Post town located about seventy-five miles southeast of Columbus on eastern bank of Muskingum River. Platted 1817. Population in 1840 about 1,000. George Miller corresponded with JS from town regarding John C. Bennett, 1842.

More Info
, Ohio.
2

JS, Nauvoo, IL, to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842, in Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, 3:839.


Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
and
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
verified this report in July 1841 after conversing with individuals who lived in the vicinity of McConnelsville.
3

Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; William Law, “Much Ado about Nothing,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, 3:831; see also Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, 3:832.


Charges of
Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
seducing women in
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
then came to light. Bennett allegedly told women and several men that JS and other church leaders approved of his actions and did the same things themselves.
4

Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; “Joseph Smith Documents from May through August 1842;”; Letter to Emma Smith and the Relief Society, 31 Mar. 1842; Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 20, 24, 25, 27, and 28 May 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

JS confronted Bennett with these charges, and, according to JS, Bennett admitted to the misdeeds and promised to reform. However, he did not do so, leading JS and other leaders in the church to prepare this notice.
The notice was dated 11 May and may have been dictated by JS to
Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

View Full Bio
that same day.
5

JS dictated “various letters & business” on 11 May. (JS, Journal, 11 May 1842.)


William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
, the third and final member of the First Presidency to sign the notice, later stated that he signed the document “several days before”
Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
withdrew his membership from the church on 17 May.
6

“Affidavit of Wm. Law,” Wasp, Extra, 27 July 1842, [3]; “Affidavit of Wm. Law,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:873. Sidney Rigdon, another member of the First Presidency, did not sign the document, perhaps because of his strained relationship with JS at this time. For more information on this tension, see Historical Introduction to Letter from Sidney Rigdon, 1 July 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

Soon after the notice was created, members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the three
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
bishops signed the document, with Richards signing on behalf of JS and three fellow apostles who may not have been present at the time. Bennett later claimed that the notice had been presented to
Orson Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

View Full Bio
for his signature several days after 11 May, suggesting that some signatures had been gathered in the days that followed.
7

John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 8 July 1842, [2]; see also Bennett, History of the Saints, 41. As noted in Bennett’s History, Pratt did not sign the document.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

Church leaders apparently did not inform
Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
about the notice until 25 May 1842, when they told him of their intention to publish it. After Bennett showed contrition for his behavior, church leaders withheld the notice from the paper. However, they soon reversed their decision—perhaps because Bennett again became unrepentant and began making plans to write an exposé of the church—and the notice was published in the 15 June 1842 issue of the Times and Seasons.
8

Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; Bennett, History of the Saints, 41; JS, Journal, 26 May 1842; “Trouble among the Mormons,” Daily Atlas [Boston], 13 July 1842, [2]; “Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830. The published notice contains no substantive differences from the manuscript version.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

Boston Daily Atlas. Boston. 1844–1857.

Bennett

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
presented a different account of events. He claimed that he voluntarily withdrew from the church on 17 May 1842, not because of any personal improprieties but because he had joined the church for the sole purpose of exposing JS as a fraud. JS and other church leaders then prepared this “MORMON BULL OF EXCOMMUNICATION,” Bennett stated, and dated it retroactively to make it seem as though they, and not Bennett, had severed ties.
9

Bennett, History of the Saints, 5–10, 41, emphasis in original; see also John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 8 July 1842, [2]; and Letter to James Sloan, 17 May 1842.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

The notice is dated 11 May in this volume, however, because that is the date that appears on the unpublished version of the notice featured here, and that same date is corroborated by
William Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
’s affidavit. No known evidence corroborates Bennett’s statement regarding the date the notice was prepared.

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See Minutes and Discourse, 3–5 Oct. 1840; Minutes, 3 Feb. 1841; Minutes, 4 Feb. 1841; and Minutes, 7–11 Apr. 1841.

  2. [2]

    JS, Nauvoo, IL, to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842, in Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, 3:839.

  3. [3]

    Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; William Law, “Much Ado about Nothing,” Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, 3:831; see also Times and Seasons, 1 July 1842, 3:832.

  4. [4]

    Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; “Joseph Smith Documents from May through August 1842;”; Letter to Emma Smith and the Relief Society, 31 Mar. 1842; Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 20, 24, 25, 27, and 28 May 1842.

    Nauvoo High Council Minutes, 1839–1845. CHL. LR 3102 22.

  5. [5]

    JS dictated “various letters & business” on 11 May. (JS, Journal, 11 May 1842.)

  6. [6]

    “Affidavit of Wm. Law,” Wasp, Extra, 27 July 1842, [3]; “Affidavit of Wm. Law,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:873. Sidney Rigdon, another member of the First Presidency, did not sign the document, perhaps because of his strained relationship with JS at this time. For more information on this tension, see Historical Introduction to Letter from Sidney Rigdon, 1 July 1842.

    The Wasp. Nauvoo, IL. Apr. 1842–Apr. 1843.

  7. [7]

    John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 8 July 1842, [2]; see also Bennett, History of the Saints, 41. As noted in Bennett’s History, Pratt did not sign the document.

    Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

  8. [8]

    Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; Bennett, History of the Saints, 41; JS, Journal, 26 May 1842; “Trouble among the Mormons,” Daily Atlas [Boston], 13 July 1842, [2]; “Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830. The published notice contains no substantive differences from the manuscript version.

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

    Boston Daily Atlas. Boston. 1844–1857.

  9. [9]

    Bennett, History of the Saints, 5–10, 41, emphasis in original; see also John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, 27 June 1842, Letter to the Editor, Sangamo Journal (Springfield, IL), 8 July 1842, [2]; and Letter to James Sloan, 17 May 1842.

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

    Sangamo Journal. Springfield, IL. 1831–1847.

Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Notice, 11 May 1842
Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842

Page [1]

Notice
1

TEXT: “Notice” is underlined three times.


The Subscribers, members of the
First Presidency

The highest presiding body of the church. An 11 November 1831 revelation stated that the president of the high priesthood was to preside over the church. JS was ordained as president of the high priesthood on 25 January 1832. In March 1832, JS appointed two...

View Glossary
of the
church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints

The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...

View Glossary
, withdraw the hand of fellowship from Gen.
John C. Bennet

3 Aug. 1804–5 Aug. 1867. Physician, minister, poultry breeder. Born at Fairhaven, Bristol Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Bennett and Abigail Cook. Moved to Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, 1808; to Massachusetts, 1812; and back to Marietta, 1822. Married ...

View Full Bio
, as a christian, he having been labored with from time to time, To persuade him to amend his conduct, apparently to no good effect.
2

In a 23 June 1842 letter to church members, JS presented his account of events leading to the preparation of this notice and implied that he had worked with Bennett to reform his conduct since about July 1841. An August 1842 editorial in the Times and Seasons also noted that Bennett “ha[d] been dealt with from time to time” and that he sometimes “acknowledge[d] his iniquity, ask[ed] and pray[ed] for forgiveness, beg[ged] that he might not be exposed.” The editorial continued, “He was in this way borne with from time to time, until forbearance was no longer a virtue.” (Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; “John C. Bennett,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:869.)


Joseph Smith

Signatures of Hyrum Smith and William Law.


Hyrum Smith

9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...

View Full Bio
Wm. Law

8 Sept. 1809–12/19 Jan. 1892. Merchant, millwright, physician. Born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Son of Richard Law and Ann Hunter. Immigrated to U.S. and settled in Springfield Township, Mercer Co., Pennsylvania, by 1820. Moved to Delaware Township, Mercer Co...

View Full Bio
.
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
May 11. 1842)
The following, members of the
Qu[o]rum of the Twelve

Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...

View Glossary
concur in the above Sentimnts.
3

The published version of this notice lists the names of the members of the Twelve essentially in order of their seniority in the quorum (Young, Kimball, Wight, William Smith, Page, Taylor, Woodruff, George A. Smith, and Richards, although Wight was the most recently ordained apostle), rather than the order presented here. Two members of the Twelve—Parley P. Pratt and Orson Hyde—were not included in this list because they were serving missions overseas at the time. (“Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830; Pratt, Autobiography, 356–357; “History of Orson Hyde,” 16, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

Signatures of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Lyman Wight, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards.


Brigham Young

1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...

View Full Bio
Heber C. Kimball

14 June 1801–22 June 1868. Blacksmith, potter. Born at Sheldon, Franklin Co., Vermont. Son of Solomon Farnham Kimball and Anna Spaulding. Married Vilate Murray, 22 Nov. 1822, at Mendon, Monroe Co., New York. Member of Baptist church at Mendon, 1831. Baptized...

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Lyman Wight

9 May 1796–31 Mar. 1858. Farmer. Born at Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York. Son of Levi Wight Jr. and Sarah Corbin. Served in War of 1812. Married Harriet Benton, 5 Jan. 1823, at Henrietta, Monroe Co., New York. Moved to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, ...

View Full Bio
4

Bennett claimed that Wight was in Tennessee at this time and that his signature was forged. However, JS visited Wight in Nauvoo on 6 May 1842, and Wight was present at a 14 May 1842 meeting of the Nauvoo City Council. Wight’s signature on the document matches his handwriting and signature in other documents. (Bennett, History of the Saints, 41; JS, Journal, 6 May 1842; Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, 14 May 1842, 25.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

John Taylor

1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887. Preacher, editor, publisher, politician. Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England. Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor, members of Church of England. Around age sixteen, joined Methodist church and was local preacher. Migrated ...

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Willford Woodruff

1 Mar. 1807–2 Sept. 1898. Farmer, miller. Born at Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut. Son of Aphek Woodruff and Beulah Thompson. Moved to Richland, Oswego Co., New York, 1832. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Zera Pulsipher,...

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Willard Richards

24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...

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Remainder of signatures in handwriting of Willard Richards.


John E. Page

25 Feb. 1799–14 Oct. 1867. Born at Trenton, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Ebenezer Page and Rachel Hill. Married first Betsey Thompson, 1831, in Huron Co., Ohio. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Emer Harris, 18 Aug. 1833, at Brownhelm...

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5

Page, who had been in Nauvoo in early April 1842, had evidently departed for Pittsburgh by the time this notice was being prepared. (Minutes and Discourses, 6–8 Apr. 1842.)


William Smith

13 Mar. 1811–13 Nov. 1893. Farmer, newspaper editor. Born at Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Lebanon, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, 1811; to Norwich, Windsor Co., 1813; and to Palmyra, Ontario Co., New York, 1816...

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6

Although Willard Richards signed for William Smith, and although Bennett claimed that Smith was in Pennsylvania, it appears that Smith was in Nauvoo at this time. A Nauvoo City Council meeting held 19 May 1842 elected him as a counselor and appointed him to a committee, suggesting he likely was present. (Bennett, History of the Saints, 41; Minutes, 19 May 1842.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

Geo A. Smith

26 June 1817–1 Sept. 1875. Born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Son of John Smith and Clarissa Lyman. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Joseph H. Wakefield, 10 Sept. 1832, at Potsdam. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio,...

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7

Although Willard Richards signed for George A. Smith, it appears that Smith was in Nauvoo at this time. A Nauvoo City Council meeting held 19 May 1842 elected him as a counselor and appointed him to a committee, suggesting he likely was present. (Minutes, 19 May 1842.)


O[r]son Pratt

19 Sept. 1811–3 Oct. 1881. Farmer, writer, teacher, merchant, surveyor, editor, publisher. Born at Hartford, Washington Co., New York. Son of Jared Pratt and Charity Dickinson. Moved to New Lebanon, Columbia Co., New York, 1814; to Canaan, Columbia Co., fall...

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8

TEXT: “O[hole in paper]son Pratt”. According to John C. Bennett, the notice was presented to Pratt to sign, but Pratt “REFUSED to sign it—stating as his reason THAT HE KNEW NOTHING AGAINST ME.” (Bennett, History of the Saints, 41, emphasis in original.)


Comprehensive Works Cited

Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

Willard Richards handwriting ends; Newel K. Whitney begins.


We concur in the above sentiment

Signatures of Newel K. Whitney, Vinson Knight, and George Miller.


N[ewel] K. Whitney

3/5 Feb. 1795–23 Sept. 1850. Trader, merchant. Born at Marlborough, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of Samuel Whitney and Susanna Kimball. Moved to Fairfield, Herkimer Co., New York, 1803. Merchant at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., New York, 1814. Mercantile clerk for...

View Full Bio
)
Bishops

An ecclesiastical and priesthood office. JS appointed Edward Partridge as the first bishop in February 1831. Following this appointment, Partridge functioned as the local leader of the church in Missouri. Later revelations described a bishop’s duties as receiving...

View Glossary
of the above mentioned Church
V[inson] Knight

14 Mar. 1804–31 July 1842. Farmer, druggist, school warden. Born at Norwich, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Son of Rudolphus Knight and Rispah (Rizpah) Lee. Married Martha McBride, July 1826. Moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., New York, by 1830. Owned farm...

View Full Bio
)
George Miller

25 Nov. 1794–after July 1856. Carpenter, mill operator, lumber dealer, steamboat owner. Born near Stanardsville, Orange Co., Virginia. Son of John Miller and Margaret Pfeiffer. Moved to Augusta Co., Virginia, 1798; to Madison Co., Kentucky, 1806; to Boone...

View Full Bio
)
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Source Note

Document Transcript

Page [1]

Document Information

Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Notice, 11 May 1842
ID #
2176
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, D10:40–45
Handwriting on This Page
  • Willard Richards
  • Hyrum Smith
  • William Law
  • Brigham Young
  • Heber C. Kimball
  • Lyman Wight
  • John Taylor
  • Wilford Woodruff
  • Newel K. Whitney
  • Vinson Knight
  • George Miller

Footnotes

  1. [1]

    TEXT: “Notice” is underlined three times.

  2. [2]

    In a 23 June 1842 letter to church members, JS presented his account of events leading to the preparation of this notice and implied that he had worked with Bennett to reform his conduct since about July 1841. An August 1842 editorial in the Times and Seasons also noted that Bennett “ha[d] been dealt with from time to time” and that he sometimes “acknowledge[d] his iniquity, ask[ed] and pray[ed] for forgiveness, beg[ged] that he might not be exposed.” The editorial continued, “He was in this way borne with from time to time, until forbearance was no longer a virtue.” (Letter to the Church and Others, 23 June 1842; “John C. Bennett,” Times and Seasons, 1 Aug. 1842, 3:869.)

  3. new scribe logo

    Signatures of Hyrum Smith and William Law.

  4. [3]

    The published version of this notice lists the names of the members of the Twelve essentially in order of their seniority in the quorum (Young, Kimball, Wight, William Smith, Page, Taylor, Woodruff, George A. Smith, and Richards, although Wight was the most recently ordained apostle), rather than the order presented here. Two members of the Twelve—Parley P. Pratt and Orson Hyde—were not included in this list because they were serving missions overseas at the time. (“Notice,” Times and Seasons, 15 June 1842, 3:830; Pratt, Autobiography, 356–357; “History of Orson Hyde,” 16, Historian’s Office, Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861, CHL.)

    Pratt, Parley P. The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874.

    Historian’s Office. Histories of the Twelve, 1856–1858, 1861. CHL. CR 100 93.

  5. new scribe logo

    Signatures of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Lyman Wight, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Willard Richards.

  6. [4]

    Bennett claimed that Wight was in Tennessee at this time and that his signature was forged. However, JS visited Wight in Nauvoo on 6 May 1842, and Wight was present at a 14 May 1842 meeting of the Nauvoo City Council. Wight’s signature on the document matches his handwriting and signature in other documents. (Bennett, History of the Saints, 41; JS, Journal, 6 May 1842; Nauvoo City Council Rough Minute Book, 14 May 1842, 25.)

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

  7. new scribe logo

    Remainder of signatures in handwriting of Willard Richards.

  8. [5]

    Page, who had been in Nauvoo in early April 1842, had evidently departed for Pittsburgh by the time this notice was being prepared. (Minutes and Discourses, 6–8 Apr. 1842.)

  9. [6]

    Although Willard Richards signed for William Smith, and although Bennett claimed that Smith was in Pennsylvania, it appears that Smith was in Nauvoo at this time. A Nauvoo City Council meeting held 19 May 1842 elected him as a counselor and appointed him to a committee, suggesting he likely was present. (Bennett, History of the Saints, 41; Minutes, 19 May 1842.)

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

  10. [7]

    Although Willard Richards signed for George A. Smith, it appears that Smith was in Nauvoo at this time. A Nauvoo City Council meeting held 19 May 1842 elected him as a counselor and appointed him to a committee, suggesting he likely was present. (Minutes, 19 May 1842.)

  11. [8]

    TEXT: “O[hole in paper]son Pratt”. According to John C. Bennett, the notice was presented to Pratt to sign, but Pratt “REFUSED to sign it—stating as his reason THAT HE KNEW NOTHING AGAINST ME.” (Bennett, History of the Saints, 41, emphasis in original.)

    Bennett, John C. The History of the Saints; or, an Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. Boston: Leland and Whiting, 1842.

  12. new scribe logo

    Willard Richards handwriting ends; Newel K. Whitney begins.

  13. new scribe logo

    Signatures of Newel K. Whitney, Vinson Knight, and George Miller.

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